Combination cuff and neckband press



Srept. 29, 1936.

E. A. MALL COMBINATION CUFF AND NECKBAND PRESS Filed Jan. 16, 1935 @0% fw, Mw

2 Sheets-Sheet l lNvENToR EDWlN A. MALL ATTORNEY Sept. 29, 1936. E A MALL 2,055,824

COMBINATION CUFF AND NECKBAND PRESS Filed Jan. 16, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 QQN FIG.8

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84,.- Fla-9 INVENTOR EDWIN A MALL BY ma# 42 f/ WZ7M l @l I lTORIV Y! Patented Sept. 29, 1936 UNITED vSTATES PATENT oFFicE COMBINATION CUFF AND NECKBAND PRESS Application January 1o, 193s, serial No. 1,988

mommay (ci. ca -21) 'Ihis invention relates to pressing machines and more particularly to small pressing machines of the type used for ironing the neckbands or attached collars and the cu's of shirts.

An object of the present invention is to provide in a single supporting frame three pairs oi cooperating pressing members with individual operating means for moving the pressing members of each pair into and out of pressure engagement. 'I'he preferred arrangement of these pressing members is to place the larger member adapted to press a neckband or attached collar in the lower position with two smaller pairs of pressing members of the size adapted to press cus symmetrically placed on opposite sides of the center line of the larger unit and just above it in the frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide cooperating pressing members including a fixed pressing member and a substantially :fluid-tight flexible cover member distensible by fluid under pressure toward the flxed member and a work,

holding slide adapted to be moved into and out of registration between the xed member and cover member so that work may be placed upon the slide in its forward or open position and the slide moved into registry, whereupon the cover member is distended to carry the work into ironing engagement with the fixed pressing member. Another feature of this invention is the provision, in a press of the above described type in which the slide is manually operated into and out of registry, of fluid supply means for the distensible cover member including an inlet and an outlet valve normally in fluid exhaust position and movable to uid supply position by a portion of the slide as the latter is moved into registry.

Other objects and features of the present invention include various novel structural arrangements for carrying out th'e above objects as will more clearly appear in the accompanying drawings and description and the essential features of which will be summarized in the claims.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a pressing machine embodying my invention showing the neckband or collar pressing unit in the lower position and two cuff pressing units in the upper position; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine of Fig. 1 showing the slide of the collar pressing unit in its out position and the slides of the cuil' units in the in position; Fig. 3 is a fragmental sectional view taken through one of the pressing units of Fig. l in a position similar to that indicated at 3-3 in Figs. 1 and 4; Fig.. 4 is a fragmental sectional view taken along the line I-A of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a. sectional view showing the construction of the slide; Fig. 6 is a iragmental front View of the valve actuating member; Fig. '7 is a. fragmental sectional view taken along the line 1-1 of Fig. 3 while Figs. 8 and 9 are fragmental sectional views of a modied form of the invention and similar to Figs. 3 and 4.

In the form illustrated, my invention comprises a single frame I2 in which are mounted three pairs of cooperating pressing members of which I3 indicates in general a pair of pressing members of a size adapted to press the neckband or attached collar of a man's shirt, while I4 and II indicate two smaller pairs of pressing members adapted to press cuffs, As the structural features of the pairs of pressing members are substantially identical except for their size, a description of one will suffice for all.

As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, each pair of pressingV members comprises a fixed chest member I6 which. is preferably hollow and provided with suitable means for supplying a heated fluid, as sh'own at I'I. Opposed to this flxed member is a buck member indicated generally at I8 which in the present form comprises a casting I9 rigidly secured to the supporting frame as -by bolts 20. Over this casting extends a. flexible substantially fluid-tight cover member 2| which is secured to the casting in a Huid-tight manner as by securling strips 22 and 23. This cover member may be made of rubber or of impregnated fabric and it is sufcient that the member should be distensible when inflated by uid under pressure whether such distension occurs by the taking up of a slight slackness in the cover or by an actual stretchin of the material of the cover member.

Means is provided for supplying fluid under pressure to distend the cover member, that shown comprising a uid supply and exhaust conduit 24 leading from the space between the cover member and the casting I9 to valve casing 25. In the form shown, the valve casing incloses 'an inlet valve 26 and an outlet valve 21 mounted on a common valve stem 28 and normally biased tc-I ward uid exhaust position by a spring 29. Communicating with the valve casing is a fluid supply eonduit 30 and a fluid exhaust conduit 3|. Movement of the valves to fluid supply'position is by means of an actuator 32 working through a strong spring 33, as best seen in Fig. 3.

The work holding slide indicated generally at 34 is arranged to carry Workinto and out of registering position between the cooperating pressing members. 'I'his slide comprises end frames 35 and 36 connected by side members 31 and mounted upon a rod 38 which is slidably supported in a bracket 39 which is connected with the frame. A collar lll secures the slide to the rod 38 and a handle 4I is supplied at the forward end of the rod for manipulation by the operator. A collar 42 at the rear end of the rod limits the movement of the slide. It will be obvious that work is placed upon the slide in its out position as shown on the lower pressing unit in Fig. 2 and thereafter the operator grasps the handle 4I and moves the slide into registration between the pressing members for a pressing operation.

Means is provided for automatically causing inflation of the cover member 2| by a portion of the slide when the latter is moved into registry. In the form shown in Figs. 3, 5, 6 and 7, a member 43 is pivotally mounted on the slide, in the present instance the pivot is rod 38. This member is normally held in position to contact the valve actuator 32 as the slide moves into registry. To this end the frame member 35 is provided with an opening at 44 to permit the actuator 32 to extend through the frame member 35. The means for holding the member 43 in its valvev actuator contacting position comprises a spring 45 extending from member 43 toa pin 46 on the slide frame and a stop member 4l is arranged to limit the movement of member 43.

'I'he slide is formed in a manner suitable to hold the work with a sufficient degree of play that it is movable upon expansion of the lower cover member into ironing engagement with the fixed pressing member. In the form shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the slide frame supports a cover member 48 which may be of cloth, wire mesh or other suitable material and which may be flexible but preferably is left in a slightly slack condition so that upon movement of the slide into registry the distensible cover member may lift the slide cover member 48 and work lying upon it into engagement with the chest member I6.

In the form shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the slide comprises a resilient plate member 49 which substantially conforms to the pressing surface of the chest member IB and which is mounted for limited vertical movement with respect to the slide as by pins 50 which depend from the plate 49 into suitable openings 5| in the end frames 35 and 36 of the slide. Preferably the plate member 49 is a part of a structure well known in the art as spring padding which comprises not only the plate 49 as a base plate but preferably also a second plate 52 spaced therefrom by means of a plurality of springs 53. Over the spring padding i there may be placed further padding or cover members such as is illustrated at 54. The form of construction shown in Figs. 8 and 9 has an advantage over the form of Figs. 3, 4 and 5 in that it serves to protect the cover member 2l from the heat of the chest member i6. That is to say, in the form of Figs. 3 to 5, the cover member when distended is separated from the heated chest only by theslide cover 48 and possibly by any Work lying upon the slide, whereas in the form shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the air space between the plates 49 and 52 of the spring padding provides a further protection for the cover member 2|.

'I'here is a further feature of the modification shown in Figs. 8 and 9 whereby I provide a novel means for causing ironing engagement between two pressing surfaces. It will be noted that the chest member has a central pressing portion 55 and depending side pressing portions 56. Also,

that the plate member 49 has a coacting central portion 51 and coacting side pressing portions 58. It will be noted that the side pressing portions of the plate 49 and the chest i6 extend beyond the cover member 2l when the latter is in its distended position as shown in Fig. 9, so that ironing pressure on work held between plate 49 and chest I6 is exerted directly by the distended cover member 2l as to that part of the work lying between the cover member 2| and the chest. But as to that portion of the work lying near the edges of the side pressing portions it will be noted that the pressure is exerted indirectly by means of the action of the distended cover member 2| onthe overhanging portions 59 of the plate 49 which extend beyond any direct action of the cover member. L

The operation of each pressing unit. whichever form be used, is as follows: With the slide in its "ou position,l the operator arranges the work thereon and moves the slide into registry whereupon during the latter portion of its movement member 43 engages the valve actuator 32 and f moves the valves to their fluid supply position against the action of the biasing means 29. The cover member is then inflated so as to cause ironing engagement between the work and the chest and the friction thus set up between the pressing members is greater than the force exerted by the spring 29 so that the slide is held in its in" position and the friction between the pressing members holds the fluid supply valves in their supply position. To release the press the operator grasps the upper portion of member 43 and swings it clockwise as seen in Fig. 6 against the action of spring 45 until member 43 clears the actuator 32 which permits spring 29 to return the valves to their fluid exhaust position. The cover member is then deflated which permits the operator to move the slide again to its out" position. Upon release of member 43 spring 45 returns it to its normal position as seen in Fig. 6 ready for another operation.

What I claim is:

1. In a pressing machine, three pairs of cooperating relatively movable pressing members mounted in one frame, the members of one pair being large enough to accommodate a shirt collar or neckband, the members of the other pairs being smaller .and adapted to press shirt cuffs, the two smaller pairs of members being mounted at least partly over the larger pair, and means for causing relative movement of the members of each pair into and out of pressing engagement.

2. In a pressing machine, a pair of cooperating pressing members comprising a fixed chest member and a substantially fluid-tight flexible cover member distensible by fluid under pressure toward said chest member, a work holding slide movable into and out of registry between said pressing members, and means for enabling the distention of said cover member, the parts being so arranged that said cover member when distended moves work on said slide into engagement with said chest.

3. In a pressing machine, a pair of cooperating pressing members comprising a fixed chest member and a substantially fluid-tight flexible cover member distensible by uid under pressure toward said chest member, a work holding slide manually movable into and out of registry between said pressing members, and means actuated automatically by movement of said slide into registry for enabling the distention of said cover member, the parts being so arranged that said cover member when distended moves Work on said slide into engagement with said chest.

4. In a pressing machine, a pair of cooperating pressing members comprising a fixed chest member and a substantially fluid-tight flexible cover member distensible by fluid under pressure toward said chest member, a work holding slide movable into and out of registry between said pressing members, said slide comprising a flexible cover member supported about its edges by a frame, and means for enabling the distention of said distensible cover member, the parts being so arranged that said distensible cover member when distended moves said slide cover member and work supported upon it into engagement `with said chest.

5. In a pressing machine, a pair of cooperating pressing members comprisinga fixed chest member and a substantially fluid-tight flexible cover member distensible by fluid under pressure toward said chest member, a work holding slide movable into and out of registry between said pressing members, said slide comprising end frames and a resilient plate member substantially conforming to the pressing surface of said chest and supported on said end frames for limited vertical movement relative thereto, and means for enabling the distention of said cover member, the parts being so arranged that said cover member when distended moves said plate member and work vsupported upon it into engagement with said chest.

6. In a pressing machine, a pair of cooperating pressing members comprising a fixed chest member and a substantially fluid-tight ilexible cover member distensible by fluid under pressure toward said chest member, a work holding slide movable into and out of registry between said pressing members, said slide comprising end frames and spring padding substantially conforming to the pressing surface of said chest and supported on said end frames for limited vertical movement relative thereto, and means for enabling the distention of said cover member, the parts being so arranged that said cover member when distended moves said spring padding and work supported upon it into engagemen with said chest.

'7. In a pressing machine, a fixed pressing member, a resilient plate member substantially conforming to the pressing surface of said flxed.

member, a substantially fluid-tight flexible cover member distensible toward said fixed vmemberV by fluid under pressure, said plate member lying between said pressing members, said cover member being of less extent than said plate member, and means for enabling the distention of said cover member, the parts being so arranged that work may be placed between said plate member and said fixed pressing memberand so that said cover member when distended moves said plate member and .work thereupon into engagement with the pressing surface of said fixed member, whereby pressure is exerted by said cover member against said work directly through the portion of said plate member coextensive with said cover member and indirectly through the portion of said plate which extends beyond said cover member.

8. In a pressing machine, a fixed pressing member, a resilient plate member including spring padding and substantially 'conforming to the pressing surface of said fixed member, a sub? stantially fluid-tight flexible cover member distensible toward said fixed member by fluid under pressure, said plate member lying between said 'pressing members, said cover member being of less extent than said plate member, and means for enabling the distention of said cover member, the parts being so arranged that work may be placed between saidplate member and said xed pressing member and so that said cover member when distended moves said plate member and work thereupon into engagement with the pressing surface of said fixed member, whereby pressure is exerted by said cover member against said work directly through the portion of said plate member coextensive with said cover member and indirectly through the portion of said plate which extends beyond said cover member.

9. In a pressing machine, a fixed pressing member having a central pressing portion and a side pressing portion extending at an angle thereto, a plate member having central and side portions substantially conforming to the central and side pressing portions of said xed member, a substantially fluid-tight flexible cover member on the side of said plate member opposite said fixed member,

said cover member being distensible by fluid under pressure to 'cause pressure Aengagement between said plate member and said fixed pressing member, and means for enabling the distention of said cover member, said side portions of said fixed member and said plate member extending beyond said distended cover member, whereby said distended cover member exerts direct pressure only upon parts of the side portions of the plate member adj aeent the central portion thereof and the side portions of the plate member beyond the cover member are indirectly moved into engagement with said fixed pressing member.

10. In a pressing machine, a pair of cooperating pressing members comprising a xed chest member and a substantially fluid-tight flexible cover member distensible by fluid under pressure toward said chest member, a work holding slide movable into and out of registry between said pressing members, the parts being so arranged that said' cover member when distended moves work on said slide into engagement with said chest, pressure fluid supply means for said cover member including an inlet and an outlet valve normally held in fluid-exhaust position, and the parts being so arranged that said valves are "moved to fluidsupply position by a portion of said slide when the latter is moved into registry between said pressing members.

l1. In a pressing machine a pair of cooperating pressing members comprising a fixed chest member and a substantially fluid-tight flexible cover member distensible by fluid under pressure toward said chest member, a Work holding slide movable into and out of registry between said pressing members, the parts being so arranged that said cover member when distended moves work on said slide into engagement with said chest, pressure fluid supply means for said cover member including an inlet and an outlet valve, means biasing said valves toward fluid-exhaust position, a portion of said slide being arranged to move said valves to fluid-supply position against said biasing means by movement of said slide into registry between said pressing members, and the friction caused by pressure betweensaid coacting pressing members in closed position preponderating over the force exerted by said biasing means.

12. A pressing machine as in claim 11,l and in which said valves are movable by a common actuator land the portion of said slide adapted to move said valves is a member normally held in position to engage said actuator and movable by the operator to actuator-releasing position.

'EDWIN A. MAIL. 

